Johnathon Duane Russell

Johnathon Duane Russell, 19, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2010 as the result of an automobile accident in Dowagiac. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Johnathon Russell Scholarship Fund at Lakeshore High School Automotive Program or to the Family. Those wishing to sign the Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. John was born November 3, 1990 in St. Joseph to Jerry & Susan (Whitright) Russell. He graduated from Lakeshore High School with the class of 2008. John had a true passion for automotive, and always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed it. John was a kind and generous person who constantly gave of himself for the benefit of others. He had an inquisitive mind, who loved to figure out how things worked. John participated in the MITES state competition for Automotive and placed 3rd in the state overall. John was also awarded a scholarship for Career Technical Education student of the year for his work in automotive. John loved hanging out in the auto shop at Lakeshore. While attending Lakeshore High School he excelled in the classroom. John was the kind of person that would make everyone laugh so hard that they'd end up crying. His sense of humor and sarcasms will be missed. John was attending Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, where he was studying auto mechanics. He had recently earned his Master Technicians Certificate. John had a natural ability to fix things. He loved cars and tractors and anything with an engine. John previously worked at The Rental Branch, and most recently at Levalley's in Benton Harbor, which he eagerly awaited returning to upon graduation from SMC. In his spare time, John enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating. John is survived by his parents-Jerry & Susan Russell; his grandmother Georgia Whitright of St. Joseph; aunts & uncles-Judy & Warren Strefling of Galien, Linda & Stanley Whitright of St. Joseph; cousins-Sandi (Jason) Plumb of St. Joseph, Lisa (Damian) Ranson and their daughter Lexie of Benton Harbor, Jenny (Jason Hettig) Whitright and their daughter Hailey Whitright; and friends too numerous to mention.